What am I doing writing about holiday events in October? I just realized that once Halloween is over, it's time to start getting tickets and making reservations for all the wonderful holiday events here in St. Augustine.

Here is my top 5 list:

Nights of Lights event

Nov. 17: This Nights of Lights fundraiser from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 17 in the courtyard of the Cathedral Basilica coincides with Light-Up Night, the opening of Nights of Lights. Hosted by the Cathedral Parish Early Education Center, the event includes food, drinks and a great place to see the lights turned on the Plaza de la Constitucion in downtown St. Augustine. Cost is $30 for adults, $15 for teens, $10 for ages 10 and younger, and free for ages 2 and younger. Tickets include hamburgers, hot dogs, sides, desserts, soda, water, beer and wine. Call 829-2933 to purchase tickets.

Garden Club Christmas Tour of Homes

Dec. 2: The Garden Club of St. Augustine's 44th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes will be held in six homes in downtown St. Augustine. The private homes, many overlooking the bayfront, will be decorated by the Garden Club. Tour hours are noon to 5 p.m. A tea and boutique will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance, or $25 day-of-event. Go to www.gardenclubofstaugustine or call 904-829-6994 for ticket purchase options.

Bed & Breakfast holiday tour

Dec. 8-19: The St. Augustine Bed & Breakfast Holiday Tour on Dec. 8 and 9 is staged by St. Augustine Historic Inns,(www.StAugustineInns.com). “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is the theme, with 12 inns on each day of the tour creating entertaining decorations and scenes based on the song’s whimsical verses. The tour is from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Tickets for the two-day event are $25, available at www.StAugustineBandBTour.com.

Dec. 15-16: More than 85 local ballet students will be part of the Saint Augustine Ballet's Nutcracker. This holiday favorite will be performed at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16 in Flagler College Auditorium, 14 Granada St., downtown St. Augustine. Tickets are $15 to $30 per person, with discounts for seniors and children. Tickets for the Saint Augustine Ballet's upcoming produciton of "The Nutcracker" ballet are available online at www.saintaugustineballet.com.

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Tradition can also refer to beliefs or customs that are Prehistoric, with lost or arcane origins, existing from time immemorial. Originally, traditions were passed orally, without the need for a writing system. Tools to aid this process include poetic devices such as rhyme and alliteration. -Steven C. Wyer